A 19-year-old man from Wyckoff, New Jersey, has been charged in connection with a burglary and vandalism incident at Playland amusement park in Rye that took place in September. County Police said Anthony Conkling surrendered to detectives and faces charges including Burglary in the Third Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, both felonies, as well as Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny, which are misdemeanors.
According to police, Conkling is accused of being one of three individuals who entered Playland overnight between September 23 and 24. The suspects reportedly arrived by boat on Playland beach just before midnight on September 23. They then climbed a fence to enter the amusement area where acts of theft and vandalism were committed.
The property damage at Playland is estimated at $57,000. Authorities stated that the boat used was taken from a Connecticut boat club but was returned undamaged.
Conkling was arraigned in Rye City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear again in court on November 25. Two other suspects from New Jersey, aged 19 and 20, have also been identified by detectives from the General Investigations Unit and are expected to surrender soon.
The County Police expressed appreciation for community involvement during the investigation: “The County Police would like to thank the public for its assistance in this investigation. Multiple tips were received from the public as a result of social media shares and media coverage of this incident.”
